Ask the BrightLeaf team

Our Process, Our People, Our Passions

Building a forever home comes with an incredible amount of detail and plenty of questions about the process. We’ve compiled a frequently asked questions list based on a number of topics relevant to eco home building. If you have questions, read through some common ones shared by our customers. Then, if you still have questions let our team know!

What is your cost per square foot?

It depends. When people ask about pricing per square foot right off the bat it often fails to address the details of what is being priced out and the criteria that went into putting that price together. Our take on it is that anyone giving you price per square foot costs without asking you a huge list of questions probably isn’t giving you reliable information. Poor information leads to unrealistic expectations which can make for a less than desirable home build experience.

I have a pretty specific budget, but I still want an eco-friendly home. Is this manageable?

We believe that every family should have access to smarter, greener, more sustainable homes. With that in mind, we created green home solutions that offer different homes that not only range in size and amenities but in price. We want our homes to be accessible and believe that there’s an energy efficient house perfect for every family’s unique preference.

What contributes to the final cost of the home?

Your fixed price agreement (the final cost) will consist of the base price of the home, land development costs, and any upgrades or modifications that you choose. Everything in a BrightLeaf home is priced out and approved by you in our online client portal.When the Fixed Price Agreement is signed, it is guaranteed to never change during construction. Ever.

How do I know what is included with the price of the home? How can I be sure the price given is the actual cost?

We have created exhaustive spec sheets and also have a single online platform for you to digitally sign off on all the aspects of your new home, so it’s abundantly clear what is going into the price. All of these details are what builds the Fixed Price Agreement, which when signed off on, is guaranteed to never change.

How sure are you that the home will actually stay on budget?

By creating a fixed price agreement, that is what you get, a fixed price. If, for some unseen circumstance, your build does go over budget. We eat that cost. Just a part of our guarantee to make sure you know exactly what you’re spending.

What can I expect for the total cost of ownership?

We find that more often than not, most people fail to take into account their utility bills and ongoing maintenance for years to come. Taking these factors into consideration is what we call the “True Cost of Living” for your new home and should be factored in when budgeting for living in your home, not just purchasing it. The science and technology that goes into building a BrightLeaf home may slightly increase your purchase price but significantly reduces many other costs - mainly, the price of utilities and regular maintenance.

Why do lot development fees seem to vary so much?

Depending on the layout and location of your land, costs will vary including permitting costs, local building code requirements, topography, as well as utility locations.

What kind of financing is required to start this process?

What is the BrightLeaf guarantee?

You will not pay $1 more than your fixed price agreement states.

All of our homes come with a 1-year slab to shingle warranty. This covers your entire home during your first year there.

We also include a 10-year envelope warranty on all homes to provide an added layer of security and confidence. This envelope warranty covers the structural elements of the home plus the windows, siding, and roofing.

Your home also includes brand new appliances, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems that operate efficiently, effectively, and safely; and carry their own warranties as well.

We’ll revisit you in a month, six months, and one year after you move in to conduct a walk through and ensure your new home is performing as it should.

How much of the building process does BrightLeaf handle?

We handle everything for you. With our integrated design approach, we make sure that everything is as efficient and cohesive as possible. From lot development, permitting, and architectural plans, to custom designs, finance coordination and anything else that is needed; we will act as your central hub.

What would I be expected to do on my own?

We take care of everything, you just have to approve your different options. Our efficient, fully integrated design approach and easy to use client management app allow you to effortlessly make selection choices, communicate with our team, and keep track of the progress of your home build. Don’t have a lot to build your dream home on? No problem, we handle that too!

How can BrightLeaf deliver on the timeline they promised?

Realistic expectations for a new home build are crucial. You can see the daily progress of your build every step of the way with our BuilderTrend App. Our efficient systems and strong relationships with our trade partners allow us to ensure your home build schedule stays on track.

What’s your reputation – how do you know you can trust us with such a big investment?

Please talk to our past clients, ask for a reference list. But be careful some might invite you into their home to check it out.

How responsive is your staff? Are they easy to get a hold of?

We have a team that is dedicated to specifically help you through the process of building your home. You become a part of our team as we collaborate with you to deliver a low-stress build experience. After all, building a home is supposed to be fun!

Can I completely customize my energy efficient home?

BrightLeaf Homes offers options for building simple (our Easy Build Process) or going fully custom. The choice is yours depending on how much you want to be involved. We know there are individuals who find value in moving into a home with a lot of the details handled by our team. On the other side, there are homebuyers who’ve waited years to build their forever home and want to be pretty involved. We’re flexible and happy to work with all kinds of decision makers.